High-risk maternal conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of birth defects and recurrent loss of previous pregnancies.

Evanston Hospital is one of the only 10 designated Level III Regional Perinatal Centers in Illinois, which means it offers specialized care for high-risk mothers and critically ill babies that's not found at most other hospitals. For babies who need intensive care, Evanston Hospital's 44-bed Infant Special Care Unit (ISCU) is staffed by a team of neonatologists as well as highly trained neonatal intensive care nurses. The ISCU offers individualized family support for infants who are born early, very small, or who are ill.

Highland Park Hospital was the first in Lake County to provide high-risk infant care around the clock from a team of board-certified neonatologists (physicians specializing in the care and development of newborn babies who are ill), using advanced technology.

Diagnosing Pregnancy Complications

In case of complications during pregnancy, specialists in Maternal-Fetal Medicine provide advanced fetal diagnostics and high-risk obstetrical care at a moment's notice. This group specializes in detecting, assessing and - in some cases - even treating genetic problems in unborn babies. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists, pediatric cardiologists, ultrasound technicians and genetic counselors provide care for pregnancy complications at multiple locations conveniently throughout Lake County and Northern Cook County. The Center for Maternal and Fetal Health at Evanston Hospital also offers Rapid MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to evaluate abnormalities as well as consultation with several pediatric and surgical specialties.

Contact Information

The seven Centers for Maternal and Fetal Health are located at Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital, Highland Park Hospital, Lake Bluff, Northwest Community Healthcare (Arlington Heights), Gurnee, and Libertyville. To schedule an appointment at any location, call 847.570.2860 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians are available 24 hours a day, after hours calls are directed to the on-call physician.